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Old Time Radio Researchers GroupThe Blue Beetle

THE BLUE BEETLE

The exploits of Dan Garrett, a rookie patrolman who, by wearing bullet-proof blue chain mail, transformed himself into the mysterious Blue Beetle, a daring crusader for justice.

The Blue Beetle was created by Charles Nicholas. The character made his first appearance in August of 1939 in the comic book Mystery Men #1, published by Fox Features Syndicate.

The Blue Beetle radio serial aired from 05-15-40 to 09-13-40 as a CBS 30 minutes, syndicated series. Actor Frank Lovejoy provided the voice of the Blue Beetle for the first thirteen episodes. Later episodes were uncredited.

After his father was killed by a gangster's bullet, young Dan Garrett joined the New York Police Department, but soon tired of the slow pace and red tape of police work.

With the help of his friend and mentor, pharmacist and drug-store proprietor Dr. Franz, Dan acquired a costume of bullet-proof chain-mail-like cellulose material, and began a second life, fighting crime as The Blue Beetle.

His calling card was a small beetle-shaped marker that he left in conspicuous places to alert criminals to his presence, using their fear of his crime fighting reputation as a weapon against them. For this purpose he also used a "Beetle Signal" flashlight. The Blue Beetle's reputation was not his only weapon -- he carried a revolver in a blue holster on his belt, and was sometimes shown wearing a multi-pouched belt after the style set by Batman. Also in the Batman vein, the Blue Beetle had a "BeetleMobile" car and a "BeetleBird" airplane. In at least one radio adventure, he carries something called a "magic ray machine". The ray machine was a sort of super-scientific cutting device.

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OTRR Certification Information:

Series Name: The Blue Beetle
Certification Status: OTRR Certified Complete
Certification Date: May 15, 2005
Certification Version: Version 1
Number of CDs: 1

From the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. See "Note" Section below for more information on the OTRR.

This audio is part of the collection: Old Time Radio
It also belongs to collection: Radio Programs

Artist/Composer: Old Time Radio Researchers Group
Keywords: OTRR; Old Time Radio Researchers Group; Old Time Radio; OTRR Set; Blue Beetle; The Blue Beetle; Super Hero; OTRR - 2006-07

Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

Notes

OLD TIME RADIO RESEARCHER'S GROUP

This is a production of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group located at Old Time Radio Researchers Website and the Old Time Radio Researchers Group.

It contains the most complete and accurate version of this series in the best sound possible at the time of creation. An updated version will be issued if more episodes or better sounding ones become available.

If you are interested in preserving old time radio, you may wish to join the Old Time Radio Researchers Group at Yahoo.


Relax, listen, and enjoy!

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OTRR Definitions:

OTRR Certified Accurate -- A series that is Certified Accurate indicates that all the episodes are properly identified and labeled but that the series does not contain all known extant episodes.

OTRR Certified Complete -- A series that is Certified Complete is the highest level of certification available under the OTRR Certified Standards. This certification level implies that all the files in the series are Certified Accurate but also indicates that the series is as complete as possible – it includes all extant episodes.

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Reviewer: Superlee - - November 24, 2011
Subject: 3.5 Stars for The Blue Beetle!
I like this show a lot! Yes, it can be referred to as corny and even a bit cheesy, it's no "Box 13," no "Superman" and certainly no "Shadow" but that's ok with me. I don't mind a bit of cheese on my corn :) (sometimes :)

Reviewer: Poe1809 - - June 29, 2011
Subject: .
As a comic book fan for the last 30 years(don't tell my anyone, especially my wife) I've always loved the different characters that operated under the name Blue Beetle. This radio show does a great job with the first character of that name, with good action, not made too deep by superfluous story elements, and even some humor. Yes, this is a product of its age with some of the sci-fi aspects, but it is a fun listen nonetheless.

The only knock is the sound. While you can stay hear and understand nearly everything, often it has a murky quality than makes you strain to hear. This would get a five otherwise, but one star off for the sound.

Reviewer: Anatoon - - December 11, 2009
Subject: The Blue Beetle
I found this show doing a search for Frank Lovejoy as I always enjoyed his role in Night Beat. Frank has an excellent voice for radio.
What can I say, The Blue Beetle is rather corny, but I think it must have been aimed towards a young audience. Things like 'magic ray guns', Formula X-J, invisibility formulas, and the like are what children in the day were into. (Yes, back when they had imaginations).
I did listen to them all, the stories are original for the most part and still maintains an entertainment aspect.